Pieter Breugel: The Peasant Dance, 1568
Une femme is feeling confessional: I used to be a Faire Nerde.
In my early 30's I was part of a dance group that performed 16th Century English Country dances at various Renaissance Faires throughout the state. It was some of the most fun I've ever had. As part of our performance, we were required to wear costumes that were as historically accurate as possible, which presents some challenges when you're also required to dance vigorously for three half-hour sets on stage, often in weather over 90 degrees. While the average Elizabethan may have worn multiple layers of wool garments, we used cotton. Class designations in Elizabethan England were rigid, and there were sumptuary laws to prevent one from dressing above one's station. For comfort and practicality, our costumes were meant to approximate what prosperous peasants to lower middle class Elizabethans would have worn.
In my early 30's I was part of a dance group that performed 16th Century English Country dances at various Renaissance Faires throughout the state. It was some of the most fun I've ever had. As part of our performance, we were required to wear costumes that were as historically accurate as possible, which presents some challenges when you're also required to dance vigorously for three half-hour sets on stage, often in weather over 90 degrees. While the average Elizabethan may have worn multiple layers of wool garments, we used cotton. Class designations in Elizabethan England were rigid, and there were sumptuary laws to prevent one from dressing above one's station. For comfort and practicality, our costumes were meant to approximate what prosperous peasants to lower middle class Elizabethans would have worn.
Here are some of my favorite costume pieces, dug out of the back of the closet. (All sewn by moi.)
This one is more fancy, it's a peach color with teal ribbon accent. It's hard to see, but the blouse has box pleats on the collar and cuffs. The skirt (which is actually full length) would have been worn over another skirt, and tucked up into a belt to show off the underskirt, and to help keep the nicer top skirt clean. The bodice, which would be worn tightly laced has boning and some pretty stiff interfacing; it's actually quite supportive and comfortable and makes wearing a bra under your costume unnecessary.
Another favorite bodice.
This is a chocolate brown corduroy hooded cloak with a light green lining. When you camp out at Faire, it often gets quite cold at night, and it's nice to have something warm on while you're quaffing ale and singing Elizabethan drinking songs around the campfire. It also doubles as a blanket over the sleeping bag.
I love the Celtic knot hook on this cloak.Anyhow, if you know anyone who's around a size 6-8 (short) and needs a woman's Renaissance costume, let me know. I might be willing to to have some of these pieces find a new home. There are also some other bodices and skirts; e-mail me if you're interested.
You are so crafty. I cannot even sew a button on. I have enjoyed some Renaissance Fair times. Love the turkey legs and the maiden wreaths!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful garments.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully crafted.
These are gorgeous -- do you ever get tempted to throw the cloak on? I had a gorgeous one my mom made me in Black Watch tartan (wool, of course) lined in a beautiful heavy satin. I wore it through my twenties, and it always felt so sumptuous. I haven't sewn in years and years, but sometimes I wish I could find time again.
ReplyDeleteWow, forget your SCA past, you can sew!!! And really well!!! This is truly a revelation.
ReplyDeleteI know of some folks who did the entire Renaissance wedding, and I think the parents and guests had to show up in appropriate costume as well.
Did you used to eat those turkey legs they sell at those fair things, too?
Thanks everyone!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a big fan of the turkey legs; they tend to be tough, a lot of work for the amount of meat gleaned, and they get your hands greasy in an environment where there's already a lot of dirt and not a lot of places to wash up. Best Faire food is a mug of beer, a hunk of bread, a hunk of cheese and an apple.
I've actually worn the cloak on occasion as a costume piece, but it's pretty heavy and unwieldy for daily wear. If I were to make another, I'd definitely make it a bit shorter, and line it with something slipperier and lighter.
dana,
ReplyDeleteOur dance group was once hired to dance at a Renaissance wedding in Malibu...for the drummer of Guns N Roses. Some of the guests were in Ren garb, some in classic R&R black leather. We performed some dances and then were invited to hang out and party with the guests. Cool gig.
Ok, a rock and roll renaissance wedding would be a very cool vibe. Only in California, I guess!
ReplyDeleteThere's an office building on my way to work, and it's very staid looking, brick, with brass capital letters on the front, saying "Renaissance Financial." Everytime I drive by, I think, "renaissance festival," which is I'm sure not the image these accountants want to be associated with. Makes me chuckle.
dana,
ReplyDeleteI just visualized an accounting firm where the men wear doublets and codpieces, and the women are attired in bejeweled bodices and hoop skirts! There's a sitcom in there somewhere....
Such lovely pieces -- especially the cloak!
ReplyDeleteI actually sing with a Madrigals group at the local community college here. If there are any pieces left that you want to part with, I can probably find them good homes.